ACTHA is offering a $500 cash prize for the riding organization earning the most points. The High Point Club Award is open to any club, organization, state or local association, saddle club or 4-H group. The more riders from your club who ride increase the odds of your club winning. Riders can participate in either the competitive trail challenges or the arena obstacle challenges offered at the Festival. The more events the organization competes in also increases their odds.

Smaller clubs or organizations have the opportunity to vie for the $250 Spirit Award, an award given to the organization showing the most “team spirit”. Decorate your trailers, wear fun costumes or matching attire, show us why your club knows how to have the most fun out on a ride. The Spirit Award will be judged by our nationally renowned clinicians including Guy McLean, John Lyons, Scott Purdum and many more.

ACTHA President Robin Tilghman states, “This is a great opportunity for local organizations to join us in our tribute to the great American trail horse while having a chance to win funds to benefit their club. ACTHA realizes that many of our nation’s top equestrians and trail riders began their equestrian journey with the small organizations across the U.S. that usually operate on a limited budget, and this is one small way for us to assist them.”

All breeds, disciplines and levels of riding are welcome. Membership to ACTHA is not required to participate in the Great American Trail Horse Festival. For information and registration please visit www.actha.us/festival

OUR MISSION:

The American Competitive Trail Horse Association’s mission, duty and purpose is to address, educate, coordinate, and provide aid and relief to unwanted, unused, abandoned and abused equines on a national level. ACTHA’s mission to provide a venue for the trail rider to participate in the sport of competitive trail riding, focuses on educating participants on all aspects of the equine, care, training, as well as the importance of being a good steward of our natural resources (land, water, and the animals entrusted in our care). To create an enjoyable venue to showcase the wonderful attributes of the great American trail horse and granting the recognition they so richly deserve. Leading by example, ACTHA donates 20% of its member rider proceeds from each event to registered 501(c)3 organizations (usually equine charities providing care for horses in need), and provides a vehicle for organizations to raise funds to support their cause. Our mission focuses on creating and enabling humane treatment and employment options for every able bodied equine, reducing the burden on local, state, and federal programs to support the ever growing problem of unwanted, unused, abandoned, and abused equines. To further our mission, ACTHA will create and maintain a registry open to all breeds and a point designation system which will stay with each horse for its lifetime, thereby adding to their value and distinction.